All major towns to get medics on bikes

NST: GEORGE TOWN: Motorcycle ambulance squads will be set up in major towns nationwide, after the success of the pilot project in the Klang Valley.
Health Ministry Parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said paramedics on bikes could reach patients much more quickly than ambulances, especially in traffic jams.
It sometimes takes up to 45 minutes to reach a patient.
He said trained paramedics on 10 motorcycles were involved in the pilot project. The ministry is especially keen to expand the programme to cities with a high traffic volume.
"Many lives may be saved if paramedics could provide emergency treatment to accident victims within a short period of time."
Lee said the service was also aimed at complementing emergency services in outlying areas not easily accessible to ambulances. He also quashed rumours that the government planned to privatise ambulance services.
The ministry had decided to outsource the maintenance of ambulances to reduce costs.
The ministry had been allocated RM18 million to buy 900 new ambulances to replace the ageing fleet.
Lee said this after officiating the inaugural Penang Open Category Paintball Championship — Jelutong Cup here. A total of 22 teams took part in the event organised by the state Youth and Sports Department and the Penang Discovery Society.